Triangular, axially compressible sponge mop



March 2, 1965 1'. P. CORCORAN 5 TRIANGULAR, AXIALLY COMPRESSIBLE SPONGE MOP Filed June 20, 1963 INVENTOR. THEODORE P. CORCORAN BY FULWIDER, PATTON RIE BER, LEE UTECHT ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,171,152 TREANGULAR, AXIALLY 0MPRES1BLE SPGNGE MOP Theodore P. Corcoran, 2828 E. 14th St, Long Beach, Calif. Filed June 20, 1963, Ser. No. 232214 1 Claim. ((31. -119) The present invention relates to a sponge mop, and more particularly to a triangular, axially compressible sponge mop.

Handle-supported sponge mops for scrubbing and cleaning floor surfaces and the like are well known, and a variety of such sponge mops, characterized by a corresponding variety of means for squeezing liquid therefrom, are presently available. Most of such mops have a single cleaning face or side which is brought into engagement with the floor surface to elfect the scrubbing and Wiping action, and includes either a structurally separate press or other apparatus for wringing the mop, or an apparatus directly upon the mop. Where the apparatus is attached or is an integral part of the mop, a desirable efiiciency is provided, but such structures of the prior art are comparatively complicated, difficult to operate, and prohibitively expensive to manufacture. Moreover, such prior structures were ordinarily closely associated with the sponge mop head in a manner interfering with free drying thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mop having a sponge head characterized by three faces or sides successively usable to scrub and wipe floor surfaces and the like, and wherein the mop head is rotatably carried by a frame attached to the mop handle to facilitate such successive use of the three sides.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mop of the aforementioned character having an elongated mop head characterized by three sides having sufficient width that the mop head is normally constrained against inadvertent rotation during use by reason of the extent of contact with the surface being cleaned, and wherein the mounting means for the mop head can be made of a configuration which increases its frictional engagement with the mop head to further control rotation thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mop of the aforementioned character having a sponge rnop head which is mounted upon a transverse rod between a pair of squeeze elements which are movable relative to each other to squeeze the sponge mop head therebetween, thereby eliminating any press or similar apparatus which overlies the sides of the sponge mop to effect the desired compression thereof. This enhances drying of the mop so that, for example, cellulose sponge mops are not subject to the rapid deterioration from bacteria growth which often results from slow drying. Moreover, the comparative freedom of contact between the present wringing or squeezing mechanism and the sponge mop head greatly reduces the possibility of inadvertent entrapment of dirt and the like between the cooperating mop parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sponge mop of the aforementioned character wherein the handle is pivotally mounted to the mop head so that the handle can be disposed at any desired angle, and particularly at low angles to permit reaching under tables, cabinets and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sponge mop head mounted to a handle in such a way that the mop head may be vertically arranged for disposition within a small diameter container whereby the user needs only a limited amount of water to rinse the rnop head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sponge mop of the aforementioned character which is relatively 3,171,152 Patented Mar. 2, 1965 inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, and extremely durable in operation.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sponge mop of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional View the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modification of the mop wherein the transversely disposed support element is square in cross-section;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating the sponge mop in its compressed condition; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the encircled portion of the sponge mop designated at 6 in FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, there is illusrated a mop 10 according to the present invention comprising a longitudinally extending actuating rod or handle 12 made of wood or the like; an elongated, compressible mop head 14 made of cellulose or foam rubber sponge material and having three equal sides 13; and a frame 16 secured to the lower extremity of the handle 12 and adapted to support the mop head 14, as will be seen.

The frame 16 is preferably constituted by a metal rod disposed through a central opening in a flanged end cap 18 and within a bore provided in an end of the handle 12. The rod is press-fitted into the handle bore, and the end cap 18 is pressed over the adjacent extremity of the handle 12 for protecting the same against abrasion and the like. The frame rod is bent or formed to provide a divergent or angularly offset portion 20 which is bent back upon itself to form a transverse rod section or support element 22 extending transversely relative to the longitudinally extending handle 12. The element 22 is disposed through the axial opening in the mop head 14 and, by reason of the configuration of the frame 16, is spaced from the offset portion 20 a distance sufficient to permit the mop head 14 to rotate about the support element 22 without engaging the ofiset portion 20.

The mop head 14 is made of any suitable sponge-like cellular material having the capacity to absorb water and characterized by a resilience such that, subsequent to compression of the mop head for exuding water therefrom, the mop head 14 will spring back or tend to reassume its normal, expanded condition, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The compressed state of the mop head 14 is illustrated in FIG. 5.

The sponge material of the mop head 14 is preferably characterized by a porous structure in which the pores 24, as best viewed in FIG. 6, are oriented substantially along axes, as at 26, which extend normal to the longitudinal axis of the mop head 14. With this orientation of the pores 24, compression and expansion of the mop head 14 along its major axis is greatly facilitated and it is better adapted to reasssrne its normal expanded condition subsequent to compression.

It will be appreciated that in using the mop head 14 one surface or side thereof can be used until it is soiled, and the mop 19 then manipulated to rotate the mop head 14 relative to the handle 12 for bringing a new mop head surface into engagement with the floor.

A pair of stops 28 and 30, preferably made of plastic material or the like, are provided at opposite ends of the support element 22, the stop 28 being constituted by a tubular shank 32 which is press-fitted over the support element 22 and an integral, annular, and centrally aperof the mop taken along tured head 34. The stop 30 is similarly constituted by a tubular shank 36 which is press-fitted over the opposite end of the support element 22, and an integral head 38 which provides protection against scufiing and bumping of fioor molding by the mop 10.

A pair of annular squeeze members, constituted by a pair of annular washers 4t and 42, are slidably disposed upon the transverse rod 22 between the stop head 34 and the adjacent end of the mop head 14, and between the stop head 38 and the adjacent end of the mop head 14, respectively.

The central openings in the Washers 40 and 42 are sufiieiently large that the washers 4t) and 42 are axially slidable over the shanks 32 and 36 as well as the smaller diameter rod or support element 22 upon which such shanks are press-fitted. Thus, which it is desired to axially compress or squeeze the mop head 14, it is merely necessary to place ones finger tips against one or the other or the other or both of the washers 40" and 42, and urge the washer or washers against the mop head 14. When the finger pressure is released, the resilience of the mop head 14 returns the washers 40 and 42 to their normal positions overlying the shanks 32 and 36.

Whenever it is desired to replace the mop head 14 after the same has been completely worn out, it is a simple matter to remove the stop 30, slide off the old rnop head 14, and slide on a new mop head 14, thereafter replacing the stop 30 as before.

It has been found that the width of the sides of the triangular mop head 14 should be at least approximately 3 /2 inches wide so that the mop head 14 will not roll freely when it is pressed or urged over a wet surface. However, this dimension can be reduced to approximately 3 inches if the support element 22 is made square or rectangular in cross-section, as illustrated in FIG. 4, to provide greater friction between the mop head 14 and the support element 22.

In operation, the present mop 10 is moved over the floor or other surface to be cleaned so as to bring the mop head 14 into position to both scrub and wipe the surface. The handle 12 is easily manipulatable to rotate the mop head 14 to bring a new side 13 thereof into engagement with the floor when the side being used has become soiled or saturated with water.

The absence on one side of the mop head 14 of any obstructing portion of the frame 16 permits the mop head to be vertically or axially inserted into a container, permitting the use of a comparatively small container for rinsing and the like.

The mop head 14 is easily compressed or squeezed to exude water therefrom by merely applying finger pressure to one or the other or both of the washers 40 and 42 to compress the mop head 14 therebetween.

Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A mop comprising:

a longitudinally extending handle;

a three-sided compressible and elongated mop sponge including an axial opening therethrough and having its pores oriented substantially along axes normal to the longitudinal axis of said mop sponge and further having flat sides to constrain said mop sponge against rotation during a cleaning operation;

a frame including a transversely extending rod and an angularly offset portion connecting one end of said rod to an extremity of said handle, said rod being disposed through said axial opening, said frame being otherwise spaced from said mop sponge for rotatably mounting said mop sponge;

a stop including a head and a tubular shank press-fitted upon the free end of said rod adjacent one end of said mop sponge, said head being contiguous to said one end of said mop sponge for normally maintaining said mop sponge in position upon said rod;

and inner and outer annular squeeze elements flanking said sponge, the outer squeeze element being positioned intermediate the said stop and the adjacent end of said sponge, each of said elements being centrally apertured for the passage of the rod therethrough whereby said elements are manually longitudinally slidable on said rod for axially squeezing said mop sponge therebetween.

References (lited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,502,148 7/24 Magaton l5119.l 2,864,114 12/54 Schostal 15244 2,873,462 2/59 Green 15119.l 2,975,455 3/61 Greenleaf 15l19.l

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,075,485 4/54 France.

151,869 10/55 Sweden.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. 

